St. Paul mayoral candidate Melvin Carter picked up the endorsement of AFSCME Council 5 on Friday.

The union says it represents 924 workers employed by the city of St. Paul and 2,787 members and retirees eligible to vote in the 2017 mayor’s race. It is one of the largest labor organizations in Minnesota.

Melvin Carter

“Melvin has the experience, intellect and drive to lead our great city to an even better future,” says Willie Snyder, chair of the union’s screening committee. “He respects public workers and values the work we do to improve people’s lives. We’re proud to support him.”

The endorsement comes after a March 18 forum featuring five candidates: Carter and fellow former St. Paul City Council member Pat Harris; current city council member Dai Thao; former school board member Tom Goldstein; and Green Party candidate Elizabeth Dickinson. Candidate Tim Holden, a commercial landlord, did not participate.

DFL ward caucuses will take Saturday for Wards 1 and 5; Sunday for Ward 2; and April 29 for Wards 4 and 6; and April 30 for Wards 3 and 7. The city convention will be held June 17.

David Knutson, a graduate of the University of Minnesota, has worked as a reporter and editor in Minnesota and North Dakota since 1992. In 2006 Knutson joined the Pioneer Press as night editor. Five years later he was named editor for Dakota County and Northern Suburbs. As of 2015, he is the editor for St. Paul/Ramsey County.

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